Force-limiting access system and method of use

Abstract

A force-limiting access system is provided and includes a distal tip section configured to advance within a body lumen; a shaft coupled with the distal tip section; and a handle coupled with the shaft via an interface. The interface is configured to maintain a positional relationship between the handle and the shaft while the shaft experiences a force less than a threshold force and to allow the handle to move with respect to the shaft when the shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A kit for providing access to an anatomical target via a body lumen, comprising:
 a handle coupled with a proximal shaft via an interface, wherein the interface is configured to maintain the positional relationship between the handle and the proximal shaft while a force less than a threshold force is transmitted to the proximal shaft and to allow the handle to move with respect to the proximal shaft when a force greater than the threshold force is transmitted to the proximal shaft; and   a set of removable shafts, each removable shaft configured to be coupled with the proximal shaft and configured to transmit force to the proximal shaft.   
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the set includes removable shafts of different sizes or different French scale sizes. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, and/or electro-mechanical feature that allows the handle to move with respect to the proximal shaft when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a feature or a set of features on the handle that allows the handle to move with respect to the proximal shaft when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a feature or a set of features on the proximal shaft that allows the handle to move with respect to the proximal shaft when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a projection or a set of projections on the handle and a detent or a set of detents on the proximal shaft. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a shaft coupling element, a handle coupling element, and a bistable element connecting the shaft coupling element to the handle coupling element, wherein the bistable element is configured to transition from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a shaft coupling element, a handle coupling element, and a buckling element connecting the shaft coupling element to the handle coupling element, wherein the buckling element is characterized by a stiffness that resists buckling until the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the handle comprises an upper handle portion and a lower handle portion coupled to the proximal shaft, wherein the interface comprises an interlocking element positioned between the upper and lower handle portions. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the interface comprises a feature or set of features that provides tactile feedback, audible feedback, visual feedback, or combinations thereof to a user when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         32 . A kit for providing access to an anatomical target via a body lumen, comprising:
 a handle coupled with a proximal shaft via an interface, wherein the interface is configured to provide tactile feedback, audible feedback, visual feedback, or combinations thereof to a user when the shaft experiences a force greater than a threshold force; and   a set of removable shafts, each removable shaft configured to be coupled with the proximal shaft and configured to transmit force to the proximal shaft, wherein the set includes removable shafts of different sizes or different French scale sizes.   
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, and/or electro-mechanical feature that provides the tactile feedback, audible feedback, visual feedback, or combinations thereof to the user when the shaft experiences the force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a feature or a set of features on the handle that is configured to prevent excess force on the body lumen when the proximal shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a feature or a set of features on the proximal shaft that is configured to prevent excess force on the body lumen when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, and/or electro-mechanical feature that is configured to prevent excess force on the body lumen when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a feature or a set of features on the handle that is configured to prevent excess force on the body lumen when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force; or
 wherein the interface comprises a feature or set of features on the proximal shaft that is configured to prevent excess force on the body lumen when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force.   
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a projection or a set of projections on the handle and a detent or a set of detents on the proximal shaft. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a shaft coupling element, a handle coupling element, and a bistable element connecting the shaft coupling element to the handle coupling element, wherein the bistable element is configured to transition from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration when the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the interface comprises a shaft coupling element, a handle coupling element, and a buckling element connecting the shaft coupling element to the handle coupling element, wherein the buckling element is characterized by a stiffness that resists buckling until the removable shaft experiences a force greater than the threshold force. 
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the handle comprises an upper handle portion and a lower handle portion coupled to the proximal shaft, wherein the interface comprises an interlocking element positioned between the upper and lower handle portions. 
     
     
         44 .- 48 . (canceled)